SUPER Kids
ABC News has an article about two energy drinks specifically targeting kids and teenagers – they’re called Spark and KickStart Spark. Both drinks contain caffeine and stimulants, and the latter is specifically marketed for kids ages 4 and up.
Okay, does anybody see a problem with this? “Here you go, Junior; make sure you get plenty of caffeine and stimulants today…” In a society where kids don’t get to just go out and play with the neighborhood kids every evening anymore, this feels like we’re just trying to make them miniature adults. People wonder why depression and the use of antidepressants are on the rise – because kids don’t have time just to be kids, and grow up at their own pace. Plus, I have yet to experience the realm of kids, but I’m thinking that I wouldn’t want my five year old to have any more energy than he already has – I’d have to start chugging the energy drinks too!
The article also points out that this could lead to other drug addictions, especially in the sports arena. If a kid is convinced that he plays his best while drinking energy drinks, what’s going to stop him from moving on to other performance-enhancing substances down the road?
Amy’s Prediction: One of these days, our society is just going to run itself into the ground – and so much that no drugs or artificial whatever can rescue us.
Just let kids be kids!!
P.S. While I was looking for a picture for this article, I ran across a NY Times article about it, and it had some interesting captions:
 | Spark, marketed to children 4 to 11 years old, contains more caffeine than coffee. |
 | Angela B. Foster, mother of 12-year-old Taylor, at a gymnastics practice. Foster said Spark, a highly caffeinated drink, had helped her children excel at sports. |
Comments
On Dec 5 at 10:38 AM said:
I drink water during my gym workout it keeps me going. Caffeine is not a healthy item for kids. As they should be learning to eat healthy and smart. Kids do not need the stuff. They should focus on motivation instead. Sometimes walking into the gym I feel sluggish and beat, but as soon as I start lifting weights I feel less tired. These caffeine drinks for kids is teaching kids to say sure when I get older I will take steriods. I will be better at sports. When parents give children these drinks they will be wondering what is wrong with thier child. Better yours, not mine.
On Dec 5 at 10:38 AM said:
Caffeine isn't good for anyone, young or old. Our society however, is addicted to addictions, so why not start it a little younger. In a country where ketchup is listed as a vegetable in the school lunch program, we shouldn't be surprised. Pass the water!
On Dec 5 at 10:38 AM said:
I may be in the minority here, but I believe that there are some children that could benefit from caffeine use. Children who have ADHD, a legitimate medical diagnosis which is an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain, are often told by their physicians to first treat the condition with caffeine. For many children the chemical helps them to focus and maintain control of impulses because their brains are being stimulated by the drug. Parents of children with ADHD should consider discussing with their child's peditrician/neurologist the benefits of such a drink. For those worried about addictions, the research shows that having undiagnosed/untreated ADHD actually increases the risk that individuals will abuse substances.
On Dec 5 at 10:39 AM said:
WOO! CAFFEINE ROCKS! No I'm just kidding. Seriously caffeine can be very dangerous for the kids. Not only the facts these guys have been saying, but also becoming addicted will make you lose money. First its one dollar, then another. Soon its going to be like $2.50 for the stuff! And kids will get it! As for me, I go to a big store and get like a 36 pack of water that comes out to like 15 cents a bottle! (its those half litter types not those itsy-bitsy small ones.) Now for night-time. I get real thirsty at night for some reason. I just want to drink a bottle of something. So I go downstairs to get a bottle of water. Then I fall asleep.(I know, "Spare us your life story" right?) Now these kids, instead of regular water, will get this drink. Then they will be up half the night playing video games or watching seasame street or something, I dunno. Now they get what, 4 hours of sleep? O' great now they're tired. I guess they'll just open a package of (buh dah dut dut dah dut dut DAH) SPARK! Ok this is getting really long. You get the point.
On Apr 11 at 04:17 PM energy drink said:
Kid A for cafeine, watch out the guarana consumption of your Kids.
On Oct 8 at 09:13 PM Bethlehem said:
I think kids shouldn't start drinking caffin becouse the earlyer they start , when they are older they will want something more powerful than cafain.
On Dec 31 at 02:53 PM Michelle said:
I drank spark when I was a kid. It was reccomended by a friend of my mom's as treatment for ADHD. It seemed to work. I could concentrate more in school. The downside: now i'm a coffee addict!
On Dec 5 at 10:38 AM said:
It's bad enough that adults get addicted to caffeine. Now they want our four year olds addicted to the stuff?! Totally ridiculous! My kids get their energy from water, healthy living and healthy eating; that's were they will continue to get it!